About the Department of Applied Social Studies

The Department of Applied Social Studies strives to be a centre of excellence in the Social Sciences, both nationally and internationally. The Department is one of the largest and most diverse departments in UCC.  It is a student-centred department that prides itself on supporting its students through their studies.

Since its establishment in 1990, the department has gone from strength to strength with the ongoing development of new study opportunities at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.  Each year we cater for over 600 students, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate study opportunities in the core disciplines of the department: social policy, community development and youth work, and social work.

The Department has built up a unique academic project in Ireland that has led to its recognition by the Council of Europe as a European Centre of Excellence in widening participation and access.  The widening of student participation and access to third-level has been achieved through the provision of established routes of access outside the CAO process and the development of relationships with feeder programmes (FETAC).  This diversity has produced a very exciting learning community where critical ideas are to the forefront.